The Arts: Ontario’s Untapped Economic Infrastructure

Photo: Ala Ebtekar, Thirty-Six Views of the Moon, 2023, Artist proof edition, Cyanotype prints on found
book pages exposed to moonlight. Courtesy of the artist and The Third Line. Photo provided by the
Aga Khan Museum. Photographer Raheel Azim.

Written by Jaspreet Sandhu, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Research, Ontario Arts Council 

When we think about infrastructure, we picture roads, bridges, and transit systems—essential investments that keep Ontario moving. But what if we expanded that definition? What if we recognized the arts as infrastructure—just as essential to our economy, identity, and community well-being? What if arts infrastructure kept up with the pace of the fastest growing communities?  

Consider this: Ontario’s arts and creative industries generate $26 billion annually in GDP, employing more people than real estate, auto manufacturing, forestry, and mining combined. Investments in culture deliver outsized returns—every $1 invested by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) generates $25 in other revenue streams. Yet, we often overlook the arts as a strategic economic driver.  

Think about the impact of cultural hubs like the Ojibway Cultural Foundation on Manitoulin Island. Since 1978, OAC funding has helped sustain this organization, which preserves Anishinaabe language, traditions, and arts while welcoming visitors from across the province. This is not just about preserving heritage; it’s about economic resilience. Cultural institutions like this create jobs, drive tourism, and strengthen the social fabric of our communities.  

We’ve seen the proof. When culture is funded, communities flourish. Stratford Festival alone generates over $275 million in economic impact, with nearly $150 million of that spent at local businesses by visitors. The same pattern holds true in every region—whether it’s an art gallery revitalizing a downtown core, a music festival boosting hospitality revenues, or a digital media company attracting international investment. The arts don’t just enrich lives; they power economies.  

OAC plays a vital role in this success. As an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, the OAC provides over 3,000 grants annually to artists and arts organizations in 219 communities—reaching every single provincial riding. We invest in homegrown talent, helping creators and organizations develop, present, and share their work with audiences in Ontario and beyond. Our funding generates nearly $1 billion in GDP impact, sustains 16,000 FTE jobs, and returns almost $100 million in tax revenue. In short, OAC funding doesn’t just support artists—it drives economic growth across the province.  

Ontario is home to a vibrant, diverse arts scene that reflects the heart and soul of our communities. At the Ontario Arts Council, we are proud to support the incredible talent that makes Ontario a global destination for art and culture.  

OAC is conducting a new study, Arts Across Ontario, to quantify the economic impact of the arts at the local level. We invite chambers of commerce and business leaders to connect with us about the impact in your specific community—because when arts thrive, business thrives.  

And when we connect, the question to centre  is: Are we ready to think bigger? Are we ready to invest in culture not as a luxury, but as a cornerstone of Ontario’s economic future?  

Let’s build a province where creative infrastructure is as valued as physical infrastructure—where the arts fuel innovation, prosperity, and growth for generations to come. 

Learn how the culture sector drives economic growth in our collaborative brief: Ontario’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries: Strengthening Competitiveness and Communities.